‘RAIN-POWERED SUPPLY’: Community rainwater stations launched across Iloilo City

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

With more communities grappling with water shortages due to prolonged drought, Iloilo City is turning to rainwater harvesting systems that provide safe drinking water and generate income opportunities through community-led facility management.

The city government has completed 17 rainwater harvesting facilities as part of its long-term solution to water scarcity and climate-related challenges.

It plans to implement the projects in at least 28 barangays with a total budget of PHP 37,000,000.

These barangays were identified as highly vulnerable to prolonged dry seasons and limited access to safe water based on the city’s Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment.

Donna Magno, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), told Daily Guardian that each facility can process up to 6,000 liters of potable water per day, supplying safe drinking water to as many as 300 households.

She added that the system provides a sustainable water source because it does not require electricity and can last up to 10 years with proper maintenance.

The project is being implemented through the collaboration of the city government, through the CDRRMO, and Signpost Philippines, Inc., which developed the technology and trained local officials on facility operation and maintenance.

The system uses gravity-led ultrafiltration technology to ensure harvested rainwater is safe for drinking and household use.

On Monday, the city government formalized the initiative through a memorandum of agreement with six barangays—Bito-on, Jaro; Hinactacan, La Paz; Tabuc Suba, Jaro; Navais, Mandurriao; Hibao-an Sur, Mandurriao; and Monica-Blumentritt, City Proper.

Magno said these barangays completed training on facility management and are now authorized to operate the systems.

Three facilities, located in Barangays Monica-Blumentritt, Tabuc Suba, and Bito-on, have already been turned over and are fully operational.

Beyond water access, the initiative supports local livelihood by training community members to manage and maintain the facilities.

“This will be managed by the communities, it is self-sustaining, you have to catch water, and they can sell it, it is earning and also giving the community access to cheaper water,” Magno said.

Harvested water will be sold for PHP 8 to PHP 10 per five-liter container, significantly lower than the PHP 30 charged by private water refilling stations.

Magno said the project is being rolled out in three phases to maximize available funds, with eight facilities constructed in the first phase and nine in the second.

She clarified that construction of the remaining facilities will depend on the performance and sustainability of the first 17 sites.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the project was launched at the height of acute gastroenteritis cases last year which were linked to unsafe water sources.

She said the facilities not only ensure a safe and reliable water supply but also help reduce household expenses.

“We invest in solutions, where our community partners and barangay leaders are at the forefront in managing sustainable facilities, we are collecting rainwater so our communities can have a more secure and reliable source,” she emphasized.

“We are building resilience, this agreement shows that Iloilo City is committed to smart, proactive solutions, we choose to plan and secure our future,” she added.

Tabuc Suba Punong Barangay Joel Jabonillo said the facility in their village will greatly benefit residents and neighboring barangays by offering cheaper potable water.

“We saw our residents buy water at PHP 30, and maybe we can sell ours at PHP 10, I hope that more barangays will be given these facilities,” he said.

Hibao-an Sur Punong Barangay Rodlen Gallenero added that the project will be a big help to their area, which experiences water shortages even outside the dry season.